A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 9

Laveen went through a series of movements with the stick as a dagger, and I copied him. The swings were slightly foreign as I tried to keep my posture as tight as possible.

If I opened myself up even a fraction, Laveen would rush towards me and swiftly disarm me of my stick.

We went through the movements for about an hour, until he called it and ran me through some cool-down exercises.

He spotted me while I ran through some sit-ups.

"You are going to need to eat more to build up your muscle." He commanded. "I will put together a healthy diet that should give you the protein and nutrients you need."

I finished off the last sit-up while releasing a steady breath, "Fine."

I was exhausted. My body felt like it had been pushed to its complete limits. I had been out of practice for far too long. Not even hunting through the words was this strenuous.

Laveen helped me up so that I could stand and gave me a gentle smile. My face creased into disgust at the friendliness.

"How was the first day of training?" Delcallon stepped out from the forest line with his hands casually in his pockets.

The bandage was gone and had been replaced with a black eyepatch that stuck to his face. His one crystal-clear eye found me though. It always did.

I walked past Laveen towards a pile of tiles that had been set up and began dabbing myself off. I avoided Delcallon's gaze as much as possible.

"She already knows how to kill us." Laveen began with a disappointed tone, "But now she is learning how to ensure no one can stop her from killing us." He gave Delcallon a frustrated glare.

Delcallon bobbed his head slowly, "That sounds good."

Laveen creased his eyebrows, "I do not think you are listening."

I snorted out in amusement while sipping on a canteen of water. I looked over Laveen and then Delcallon. His crystal eye was still on me causing me to shift uncomfortably.

"Let us go." He said gesturing with his head to follow him. He turned on his heels and stepped towards the forest.

I strode after the Highvarion quietly as we stepped through the deeply wooded area. The silence was welcoming as were the smells. The mixture of sweet air with the saltness from the sea was delicious as it danced over my nose and tongue.

Delcallon continued to walk in front of me with his hands in his pockets. His silver hair swept in the winds of the forest, while it shimmered against the rays of light that beamed down towards us.

His steps were far too graceful and perfect to be considered a normal man. I should have noticed it immediately that day in the bar. But what good would have it done? I would have just run further into Eskar's arms at that point. I was such an idiot.

Delcallon spun on his heels to face me. His eye traced over mine and I remembered that he could read minds and had probably just heard everything I said.

His face was placid and I waited for him to say something, to tell me I was an idiot.

"Sit." He ordered with a stern tone that caused my ears to shift in surprise.

I looked around in confusion, "What are you going to teach me?"

I began to sit by crossing my legs and placing myself firmly on the cold dirt ground. "Am I burning trees?" I asked with a hint of excitement.

He rolled his head before placing himself in front of me. He crossed his legs and sat in the dirt with no concern about ruining his very clean pants.